The nomination of Pete Hegseth by President-elect Trump to lead the Department of Defense is progressing smoothly, with indications that he is likely to secure enough support from GOP senators for confirmation. Despite facing allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking, and fund mismanagement, Hegseth has denied these claims.
Reports suggest that no GOP senators have firmly opposed confirming Hegseth, with one senator stating that there are no definitive 'no' votes against him. This contrasts with the situation faced by former Rep. Matt Gaetz, Trump's previous nominee for attorney general, who withdrew from consideration due to lack of support.
With Republicans holding a 53-47 majority in the Senate, Hegseth can afford to lose only a few GOP votes, assuming no Democrats support him. Notably, moderate senators like Susan Collins and Lisa Murkowski have not withdrawn their support for Hegseth, following substantive discussions with him on various defense-related topics.
Senator Joni Ernst, who initially expressed reservations about Hegseth, has now indicated her support for him, emphasizing the importance of a fair hearing based on facts rather than anonymous sources. Ernst, a female combat veteran and survivor of sexual assault herself, sits on the Armed Services Committee.
Senator Markwayne Mullin has noted a positive shift in support for controversial Trump nominees, including Hegseth, suggesting a growing likelihood of their confirmation. The overall sentiment appears to be more favorable towards Hegseth's confirmation, with key senators expressing openness to his candidacy.
